Chapter Fourteen
“Hmm, now that I think about it, did I truly get a good rest yesterday? Why does it feel utterly unreal?”
Lisbeth opened her eyes early the next morning, stretching languidly in bed as she spoke to Clotilde beside her.
Upon hearing her, Clotilde responded with an equally languid tone. “Who can say? Though we had a minor mishap yesterday, didn’t you actually have quite a good time?”
“Happy? What part of it was happy?!”
Lisbeth immediately pouted in dissatisfaction, her lips turning down. “First, I went to help with shopping in the morning, only for my list to be stolen.”
“Then, in the afternoon, I expected to rest, but instead, I was gawked at like a monkey for hours. The only good thing, if I had to pick one, was eating a grand meal.”
“Even then, that scoundrel Staros devoured most of it.”
“Hmm, that certainly sounds like a rather pitiful day. But despite all that, aren’t you still enjoying your life here?”
“Ha? Enjoyment? I have absolutely no interest in such things, Clotilde. Only *that guy* would find pleasure in being tormented.”
“Oh dear, it seems you’ve still misunderstood my meaning.”
Clotilde had not uttered those words without reason. Even as Lisbeth voiced her stream of complaints, an unconscious smile had blossomed on her face.
Though Lisbeth herself remained oblivious to it, Clotilde, watching from the sidelines, clearly noticed the subtle shift.
With that in mind, Clotilde decided not to press the point further. Instead, she gently reminded Lisbeth, “Lisbeth, shouldn’t you be getting up? Otherwise, Hilda will come looking for trouble again.”
“Ah… such a bother… waking up is such a bother…”
Upon hearing Clotilde’s words, Lisbeth groaned, rolling around on the bed in exasperation. She knew all too well that every morning was her most agonizing moment.
As a personal maid, she was required to rise earlier than anyone else, typically with the first hint of dawn. Yet Lisbeth was, by nature, a lover of sleep, and each morning she yearned to simply remain in bed indefinitely.
*Knock, knock, knock!*
“Lisbeth! It’s nearly time to wake up!”
“Ah… see? That old woman is here again…”
Sure enough, before she and Clotilde could exchange more than a few words, Hilda’s familiar knocking echoed from Lisbeth’s door, right on schedule.
Listening to the persistent rapping, Lisbeth instinctively reached for her fox tail, stroking it gently. “I truly don’t know where that old woman finds such boundless energy,” she mumbled. “It’s astounding how early she manages to rise every single morning…”
“That, I wouldn’t know. But Lisbeth, it’s probably time you got up, isn’t it? It wouldn’t do to anger her.”
“I know…”
With no other choice, Lisbeth reluctantly dragged herself from the bed. She moved with a slow, deliberate pace, inching towards her door to open it.
Yet, just as she braced herself for Hilda’s usual reprimand, a different, familiar voice drifted to her ears.
“Lisbeth, good morning.”
“Eh?! Demon Lord?!”
Gazing at Christy, who stood before her with a gentle smile, Lisbeth’s eyes widened in surprise. She asked, her face etched with confusion, “Demon Lord, why are you here? I thought you were usually asleep at this hour?”
“Yes, that’s right. I rose a little earlier today because of a matter of some importance. More pressing than that, you should prepare yourself quickly. A very influential person will be arriving today, and they are specifically here to see you.”
“To see me?”
Christy’s words caused Lisbeth to frown, plunging her into momentary contemplation. In her estimation, her true identity was a highly classified secret; otherwise, Christy would never have concealed it, even from her own Demon Generals.
With this thought, Lisbeth immediately lifted her head. She tilted it slightly, a puzzled expression on her face as she asked, “Demon Lord, while this hasn’t been officially confirmed, surely very few know my true identity, correct? Is this person’s status truly so noble?”
“Yes, that’s right. You should, however, have heard of this person’s name. You’ll understand everything once you meet them. For now, just hurry and make yourself presentable. Hilda, please help her with her makeup.”
“Yes, Demon Lord.”
“Eh? Wait, makeup? Am I going to meet someone, or am I being sent on a blind date?”
The mere suggestion of needing makeup just to meet someone made Lisbeth shake her head frantically, instinctively recoiling several steps.
But at that very moment, Hilda seized her arm. “Lisbeth, let me tell you,” Hilda declared, “regardless of whether that lord takes a liking to you, if he truly does, you will absolutely never regret marrying him.”
“What utter nonsense are you spouting, old woman! How could I possibly marry a man?!”
“Enough chatter! Now, hold still!”
Ultimately, completely disregarding Lisbeth’s protests, Hilda wasted no time. She began applying makeup to Lisbeth’s face while meticulously tidying her somewhat disheveled hair.
Even as she underwent this transformation, Lisbeth felt a profound sense of unease brewing within her.
****
While Lisbeth was being meticulously primped by Hilda, a procession of carriages slowly made its way into the Demon Lord’s Castle, entering through the outer city gate.
Leading the retinue were several demon soldiers, clad in heavy armor, riding their steeds. Immediately following them was a carriage, lavishly adorned, its opulence evident even from a distance.
Though the carriage was enclosed, its occupants remained unseen. However, the sheer expense suggested by its lavish design made it clear that the person seated within was of no minor standing.
As the carriage traversed the streets of the Demon Lord’s Castle, the common demonfolk lining the thoroughfare all turned their curious gazes upon it. Instinctively, everyone cleared the path, allowing the magnificent conveyance to pass unimpeded.
Before long, having passed through the inner district of the Demon Lord’s Castle, the carriage arrived at the main castle gate.
It seemed the arrival of its occupant had been well-anticipated; the gate was already flanked by maids arranged in neat rows, with Angelina and Airenst, the personal maids, standing prominently among them.
Upon seeing the welcoming party gathered at the castle gate, the soldiers who had been leading the procession instinctively guided their horses away from the main thoroughfare.
They allowed only the luxurious carriage, which had trailed behind, to draw directly before the awaiting figures. As the carriage finally came to a halt, Airenst stepped forward, bowing her head respectfully as she waited for its esteemed occupant to emerge.
*Click.*
Soon, the carriage door opened. However, the first to alight was a young demon nobleman with short golden hair, dressed in noble attire.
At the same time, he respectfully bowed slightly and said to the person inside the carriage, “Lord Meyfield, we have arrived.”
“Hmm.”
As the young nobleman’s words faded, a steady, middle-aged man’s voice emanated from within the carriage. The next second, the carriage began to violently shake.
A thick, powerful leg suddenly stomped out, utterly crushing the carriage’s footrest and leaving a gaping hole. Then, in the very next moment, a massive hand forcefully gripped the carriage door’s frame, not only shattering its edges but also causing the door to break off and fall with a clang.
Witnessing this spectacle, the ordinary maids who had come to welcome the guest all gasped in astonishment. Yet, Airenst and Angelina remained respectfully bowed, as if completely unfazed by the astonishing scene before them.
Finally, after the carriage was nearly dismantled, a noble-looking middle-aged man emerged. He stood nearly two and a half meters tall, with long silver-white hair and a lengthy scar marring his face.
Looking at Airenst, he said, “Long time no see, Airenst.”
“Indeed, Lord Meyfield. To see you as formidable and powerful as ever is truly the greatest pleasure.”
“Hahaha, Airenst, your tongue remains as sweet as ever. Many people, you know, call me a monster the moment they see me.”
In truth, the moment Meyfield stepped out, every maid present had indeed harbored that very thought. After all, this was likely their first time witnessing someone practically demolish a carriage just by disembarking.
Upon hearing Meyfield’s words, Angelina, who had been standing behind Airenst, stepped forward. “Fa-Father… you’ve arrived…”
“What? Angelina, do you not wish for my presence?”
“N-No, it’s not that! It’s just… just…”
“I’ve told you many times! Stop stammering when you speak! Say what you mean directly!”
Watching Angelina hesitate, Meyfield suddenly spoke to her in a very stern voice. As soon as he opened his mouth, everyone present instinctively covered their ears, for his voice had been incredibly loud.
Upon hearing his words, Angelina immediately nodded frantically. She then said softly, “I just felt a little nervous because of your sudden arrival, Father.”
“Nervous? Well, you needn’t worry, for I am not here to see you this time.”
“Yes…”
“Lord Meyfield, you’re being a little too blunt, aren’t you?”
As Meyfield’s words concluded, the nobleman who had accompanied him gently bowed and offered a reminder. At this, Meyfield smiled. “I merely prefer to speak frankly. More importantly, isn’t it time I met that man?”